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Percussion instrument makers enjoy busy days

Aminul Islam, Mymensingh
Making of percussion instruments gets a pick-up on the occasion of different traditional and religious festivals of the Hindus including Durga Puja. The makers of such instruments in Mymensingh were seen busy to complete the orders received from their clients.
The instrument-makers are enjoying a good business this year as the sale of these instruments has increased than previous years. Buyers also from adjacent districts - Jamalpur, Sherpur, Netrokona, Tangail, Kishoreganj and Gazipur come to Mymensingh town for collecting such musical instruments, said sources.
The musical instruments which are in great demand during the puja and other religious festivals are - bangla dhol, dhak [big drum], khol, dholok, dugi, khamok, naal, tabla and khonjori.
As different rhythmic instruments including dhak and dhol are inseparable part of Durga and Kali Puja, and demand of these instruments can never be ignored, according to sources. "Marking the festivals, the sale goes high and this year the order so far we received is hopeful," said Thandu Chandra Das, an instrument maker.
Narayan Chandra Das, 78, a veteran artisan of the town said, they are now passing busy hours to finish the orders taken from in and outside the district as the Durga Puja is set to start within a week.
Narayan also said, "though the price of materials related to make these instruments has
increased over the years but the prices of the instruments has also increased, opening an opportunity for us to run our ancestral profession."
"We need wood, plastic drum, hide of goat, cow and buffalo, bamboo sticks and jute to make such instruments," said Kamoi Wrishi, another artisan.
A number of instrument makers -- Sunil Das, Rony Wrishi, Kamoi Wrishi and Bhajan Das, told this correspondent they see a ray of hope for their survival in this profession as, at present the market price is satisfactory. The price has also increased in recent years. On an average, the price has increased five to seven hundred taka per piece this year than the previous years, they informed.
Rezaul Karim Aslam, proprietor of Nabab and Co, a shop for musical instruments in the town said, "Due to lack of quality timber of neem and mango trees, we use rain tree in huge number as a substitute. For making quality rhythmic instruments, we need quality wood and technological support, as the makers here use traditional way in making these instruments that needs more labour and time, reducing the profit."
"Such instruments have also a demand in different European countries including in England and Germany. If this sector is supported with necessary raw materials, it could also be an employment sector for a huge number of people," Aslam added.
"No proper marketing system to benefit the artistes involved in this profession has been introduced yet," the entrepreneur lamented.